Paris Greeter

›› All year round

If you are about to visit Paris and want to try a new experience, a Paris Greeter will help you enjoy Paris as Parisians do. The Paris Greeters are local Parisians who volunteer their time to share with visitors the districts of Paris they know and love so well. They will introduce places and insights into Parisian life that are not always found in the published tourist guides.

 Musee de Montmartre

›› All year around

Montmartre, the Sacre-Coeur basilica, the Place du Tertre and its famous artists...but have you thought about the history of this village? This charming spot, housed in one of the oldest residences in the area, is nestled among vineyards and gardens. Permanent collections include the exceptional artistic, political and religious story of Montmartre while temporary exhibits are focusing on major artists, legendary venues and its bohemain atmosphere. Open everyday except monday

 4 Roues sous 1 parapluie

›› All year round

Venice has the gondola, New York has the taxi and now Paris… the 2CV! Allow yourself to be charmed by an authentic and intimate journey, through the heart of Paris, in the most enchanting of convertible cars! The Citroën 2CV car offers a gorgeous panoramic view. In a velvet atmosphere, sitting at the back of a “duck”, retro style and cosy, driven by a private courteous and knowledgeable chauffeur, you will (re)discover the wonders of Paris in a unique way!

 Paradis Latin

›› All year round

The Paradis Latin is now the oldest of the leading French cabarets. The theatre, built by Gustave Eiffel, was first inaugurated in January 1889 and ... the auditorium features on the historic register of the City of Paris. The current show presented here is entitled “Paradis d’Amour”: 25 young dancers form a colourful ballet with sumptuous costumes made of satin, feathers and sequins. There are two packages to choose from: dinner and show with a choice of 3 menus or show only with a half-bottle of champagne, known as “Revue-Champagne”. And remember, if you have something to celebrate, why not do it at the Paradis Latin - atmosphere guaranteed!

 Château de Vaux le Vicomte

›› All year

Did you know that the Château de Vaux le Vicomte, to the east of Paris, was one of the main sources of inspiration for the Château de Versailles?... A brief reminder for those not aware of the history of this splendid 17th-century estate: its owner Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s superintendant of Finances, chose three men of genius for the task of its construction – the architect Louis Le Vau, the painter-decorator Charles Le Brun and the landscape gardener André Le Nôtre. Vaux le Vicomte became the rendez-vous of leading artistic figures of the time: Molière, Corneille, Charles Perrault, Jean de La Fontaine, Madame de Sévigné… to name but a few. Ultimately though, this oh-so-lavish existence incited the disapproval of the king who eventually arrested Fouquet - the rest is history. As for the designers of this magnificent domain, they went on to create the marvel that is the Château de Versailles. It’s well worth taking the time to explore this admirable site, with a visit of the château and all its furnishings, the Musée des Equipages and the first French gardens by André Le Nôtre with their magical fountains. A sight for sore eyes! A rich programme of festivities whisk you back to the 17th century to experience for just a few hours the pomp and splendour of this exceptional estate: “Candlelight evenings” recreate the magic of the feasts in honour of the young Sun King, staged tours on the theme of “Festes Galantes”, outdoor theatre, picnic lunch in costume, candlelit concerts in the gardens, shows for children and a permanent exhibition “André Le Notre, Les jardins de l’intelligence”.

 Musée du Moyen Age - Thermes et Hotel de Cluny

›› All year

This national museum was established in 1843, with the merging of the Thermes gallo-romains and the Hôtel des abbés de Cluny. The « thermes » (baths) date from ... the 1st to the 3rd century and are one of the few remains of Gallo-Roman civilisation in the capital. Free and municipal and the mecca of daily life at the time, these baths were of course open to the public and among the different places still visible today, the frigidarium (cold room) and the caldarium (hot room) are still easily identifiable. The abbé Jacques d’Amboise was at the origin of the construction of the hôtel de Cluny, at the end of the 15th century : today, it is one of the oldest examples of a private mansion house set between a courtyard and a garden. The museum has a rich collection or medieval art objects – gold and silverware, tapestries, sculptures, paintings, illuminated manuscripts – amassed by an enthusiastic antique collector named Alexandre du Sommerard. The collection represents a valuable testimony of the life, art and daily activities of the Middle Ages. Among the major pieces on show in the museum, the most well-known is without doubt the series of 6 « Lady with the Unicorn » tapestries on the theme of plant and animal life, of which 5 also focus on the 5 senses.

 Paris Markets

›› All year round

Flowers Market and Bird Market of Ile de la Cité. Place Louis Lépine, 75004 Paris. Open every day from 8am to 7.30pm. Open on sunday from 9am to 7pm. Flowers Market of Place de la Madeleine. Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris. Open every day except monday. Les Bouquinistes. 240 book sellers of Paris present on the quais de Seine, about 500,000 books and a huge number of sketches, documents, stamps and postcards. Marché couvert Les Enfants Rouges. 39, rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris. The oldest covered market of Paris, renovated in the late 90s and probably one of the oldest one in France.

 Yves St Laurent at Petit Palais

›› 11 March - 29 August 2010

This exposition covers 40 years of creation of Yves St Laurent from 1962 until 2002 : revolution of style ! More than 300 models, a lot of drawings, films and different documents to prtists of the 20th century.

 Edvard Munch or the Anti-Scream

›› 19 Feb - 8 Aug 2010

“Edvard Munch or the Anti-Scream” is a retrospective of the work of Edvard Munch, the pioneering Expressionist painter best known for his celebrated painting “The Scream”. The exhibition displays around one hundred works (paintings and sketches) covering the artist’s rich and singular oeuvre. With this exhibition from 19 February to 18 July 2010, the Pinacothèque de Paris is offering a fresh insight into the work of Edvard Munch, one of the most legendary and paradoxically least-known artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is the first time in 20 years that his work is being shown in Paris, and indeed in France; the Pinacothèque de Paris is therefore providing art lovers in France with a wonderful opportunity to discover the vision of this great artist, using a simple approach that allows all visitors to understand why he occupies such a significant place in art history.

 STADE DE FRANCE

›› All Year

The Stade de France is already 10 years old ! Time has been flying, since the first performances of Zidane’s team in the 98 World Cup. In 2008, this sport temple of the Ile-de-France will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with many festivities... Many great events were performed in this stadium, many records were broken and many emotions shared: the Champion League final in 2000, the athletism world cup in 2003, the Celtic night, Bigard’s show in 2004, Turandot in 2005 and the rugby world cup final in 2007. For this anniversary, many great celebrations will be offered by the Stade de France: 100 000 10 euros seats (from January 10th to the 20th ), Unighted by Cathy Guetta (July 5th), RFM Party 80 (may 17th), Urban Peace 2 (October 4th), Nabucco (september 27th), Trophée Andros (february 16th), Coca-Cola Sports Sessions (July 25th, August 3d), the Gaz de France Meeting (July 18th)... and Johnny Hallyday in 2009... More surprises to come!